Decision details

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport seeking approval of capital programme item - purchase replacement mechanical street sweeping fleet.

To approve, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, capital expenditure of £350,000 in 2014/15 for the Purchase of Compact Sweepers scheme, contained within the Environment and Transport Portfolio (City Services) Capital Programme, in order to procure five mechanical sweepers to help secure the economy and effectiveness of the street cleansing service over next 5 – 7 years.

1. The fleet of mechanical sweepers currently deployed by the street sweeping service is now fast approaching the end of its useful operational life. This means that under-performing equipment and downtime due to breakdowns are adversely affecting outcomes achievable by the front-line street cleansing teams.
2. An opportunity exists to reverse to a significant extent recent reductions in street cleansing service standards through capital investment in a new and up-to-date street cleansing fleet, selected and specifically configured to maximise the street cleansing outcomes achievable by the reduced front-line staffing resources now available to the service.

Do nothing - units within the current fleet of street cleansing mechanised street sweeping are not replaced and the street cleansing function is carried out in the future entirely by front-line staff with brushes and litter pickers, with severe consequences for the level of street cleansing standards deliverable and frequency of operation achievable.

None